How to Have a Great Party and Help the Needy at the Same Time

Whenever I have a party, my guests always ask what
they can bring. I usually tell them nothing, and they usually bring some nice,
but unnecessary 'hostess gift.' I have enough candles and bottles of wine. So,
I have hit upon the perfect solution to the question: "What can I
bring?" It is especially helpful in this shaky economy, too! Read on for
something my guests at my last party really liked.

Things You Will Need

A Party

Guests

A Large Box to decorate

Step 1

Prepare your invitations for your next soiree - I
like to use EVITE, it is a free online invitation site that tracks your guests
and lets your guests keep an idea on who is coming or not. There are other sites that offer free party invitation services as well. Use a search engine to find them with keywords like "party" "invitation" and "free."

Step 2

On the invitation, whether electronic or hard copy
or word of mouth, be sure to specify that everyone should bring a box or can of
nonperishable food for the local food bank. Tell them you will be making a
donation on the Monday following the party.

Step 3

Find a large, empty box and decorate it in the theme
of the party - wrap it like a present (with an open top) for Christmas, cover
it in red, white, and blue for 4th of July, etc. Place it somewhere it can be
easily accessed during the party.

Step 4

As your guests arrive, ask them to place their
donations in the box. Most of my guests brought more than one item (many
brought a bag full) so the box filled up quickly.

Step 5

Enjoy the party! No worries about what to do with
those nice, but really useless hostess gifts anymore! After the party, take the
donation box(es) to the food bank. You will feel real good about helping those
less fortunate than you while you and your friends are having a good time.

After the party, gather up the box and all the donations and take it to your local food bank. They will appreciate the donations and you and your friends will feel good knowing you have done this. Finally, send a note to all who attended, thanking
them for their generous gifts to the food bank, and let them know you have
delivered the donation box.

Tips & Warnings

This
works any time of the year, not just during the holidays.

Make
sure your box is big enough or prepare two of them, as your guests will likely
bring more than one item for the donation.